Method of controlling a bi-fuel generator set

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling a bi-fuel generator set. The generator set includes a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator. A flow of gaseous fuel is provided, and operation of the engine and the generator is monitored. The flow of gaseous fuel is adjusted in response to various predetermined operating conditions on the engine. In addition, the flow of gaseous fuel may be selectively passed through a charge cooler remote from a radiator for the engine. The flow of gaseous fuel may be cooled by the charge cooler in response to certain operating conditions on the engine.

1. A method of controlling a bi-fuel generator set having a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flow of gaseous fuel to the engine;  
 monitoring vibration of the engine during operation and providing a vibration signal to the controller in response thereto;  
 comparing the vibration signal to a first threshold such that if the vibration signal exceeds the first threshold, the controller reduces the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine;  
 monitoring the electrical power produced by the generator; and  
 cooling the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine if the electrical power exceeds a threshold.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 providing an air intake for the engine and monitoring the air temperature at the air intake of the engine; and  
 comparing the air temperature to a threshold such that if the air temperature exceeds the threshold, the controller reducing the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine.  
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional steps:
 providing coolant for cooling the engine;  
 monitoring the temperature of the coolant; and  
 cooling the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a threshold.  
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional steps of:
 providing diesel fuel to the engine; and  
 adjusting the volume of the diesel fuel provided to the engine in response to the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine.  
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 providing an air intake for the engine and monitoring the air temperature at the air intake of the engine;  
 determining a maximum flow of gaseous fuel to the engine in response to a load on the engine and the air temperature at the air intake of the engine; and  
 comparing the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine and the maximum flow of gaseous fuel.  
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  comprising the additional step of increasing the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine if the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine is less than the maximum flow of gaseous fuel. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein if the vibration signal is less than the first threshold, comprising the additional steps of:
 increasing the flow of gaseous fuel to the engine; and  
 returning to the step of monitoring the vibration of the engine during operation.  
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional steps:
 providing coolant for cooling the engine; and  
 monitoring the temperature of the coolant such that if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a first threshold performing the additional step of stopping the flow of gaseous fuel to the engine.  
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a second threshold performing the additional step of stopping the engine. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional steps of:
 monitoring the speed of the engine; and  
 reducing the flow of gaseous fuel in response to oscillations in the speed of engine.  
 
     
     
       11. A method of controlling a bi-fuel generator set having a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flow of gaseous fuel and a flow of diesel fuel;  
 combining the flow of gaseous fuel and the flow of diesel fuel to form a fuel mixture, the fuel mixture having a ratio of gaseous fuel to diesel fuel;  
 providing the fuel mixture to the engine;  
 positioning a charge cooler remote from a radiator for the engine;  
 selectively passing the flow of gaseous fuel through the charge cooler in response to a predetermined operating parameter in order to cool the gaseous fuel in the fuel mixture; and  
 increasing the ratio of cooled gaseous fuel to diesel fuel in the fuel mixture.  
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 the generator set includes coolant provided for cooling the engine;  
 the predetermined parameter is the temperature of the engine coolant; and  
 the step of passing the flow of gaseous fuel through the charge cooler includes the additional steps of: 
 monitoring the temperature of the coolant; and  
 cooling the flow of gaseous fuel if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a threshold.  
 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional steps of:
 monitoring vibration of the engine during operation and providing a vibration signal to the controller in response thereto; and  
 comparing the vibration signal to a threshold such that if the vibration signal exceeds the threshold, the controller reduces the flow of gaseous fuel.  
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein if the vibration signal is less than the threshold, comprising the additional steps of:
 increasing the flow of gaseous fuel; and  
 returning to the step of monitoring the vibration of the engine during operation.  
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  comprising the additional step of comparing the vibration signal to a second threshold such that if the vibration signal exceeds the second threshold, the controller terminates the flow of gaseous fuel. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of adjusting the flow of fuel includes the additional step of comprising the additional step of comparing the vibration signal to a second threshold such that if the vibration signal exceeds the second threshold, the flow of gaseous fuel is terminated. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional steps of:
 providing an air intake for the engine and monitoring the air temperature at the air intake of the engine; and  
 adjusting the flow of gaseous fuel in response to the air temperature at the air intake.  
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional steps:
 providing coolant for cooling the engine;  
 monitoring the temperature of the coolant such that if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a first threshold performing the additional step of stopping the flow of gaseous fuel.  
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a second threshold performing the additional step of stopping the engine. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11  comprising the additional steps of:
 monitoring the speed of the engine; and  
 reducing the flow of gaseous fuel in response to oscillations in the speed of engine.  
 
     
     
       21. A method of controlling a bi-fuel generator set having a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing diesel fuel to the cylinders of the engine for ignition;  
 providing a flow of gaseous fuel to the engine;  
 monitoring the operating conditions of the engine and the generator;  
 adjusting the flow of gaseous fuel to the engine in response to predetermined operation conditions on the engine;  
 monitoring the electrical power produced by the generator; and  
 cooling the gaseous fuel provided to the engine if the electrical power exceeds a threshold.  
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  comprising the additional step of cooling the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of cooling the flow of gaseous fuel includes the steps of:
 providing coolant for cooling the engine;  
 monitoring the temperature of the coolant; and  
 cooling the gaseous fuel provided to the engine if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a threshold.  
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of monitoring the operation conditions of the engine includes the step of monitoring vibration of the engine during operation and providing a vibration signal to the controller in response thereto, and wherein the step of adjusting the flow of gaseous fuel includes the step of comparing the vibration signal to a first threshold such that if the vibration signal exceeds the first threshold, the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine is reduced. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein if the vibration signal is less than the first threshold, the step of adjusting the flow of fuel includes the additional steps of:
 increasing the flow of gaseous fuel to the engine; and  
 returning to the step of monitoring the vibration of the engine during operation.  
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of monitoring the operating conditions includes the step of monitoring the air temperature at the air intake of the engine. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of monitoring the operating conditions includes the step of monitoring the temperature of the coolant such that if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a first threshold performing the additional step of stopping the flow of gaseous fuel to the engine. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  wherein if the temperature of the coolant exceeds a second threshold performing the additional step of stopping the engine. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of monitoring the operating conditions includes the step of monitoring the speed of the engine and wherein the step of adjusting the flow of fuel includes the step of reducing the flow of gaseous fuel provided to the engine in response to oscillations in the speed of the engine. 
     
     
       30. A method of controlling a hi-fuel generator set having a controller, a generator for generating electrical power, and an engine for driving the generator, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flow of gaseous fuel;  
 positioning a charge cooler remote from a radiator for the engine;  
 passing the flow of gaseous fuel through the charge cooler to selectively cool the flow of gaseous fuel; and  
 providing the cooled flow of gaseous fuel to the engine;  
 
       wherein the step of passing the flow of gaseous fuel through the charge cooler includes the additional steps of:
 monitoring the electrical power generated by the generator; and  
 cooling the flow of gaseous fuel if the electrical power exceeds a threshold.